A World of Perspective
CarolAnn Garratt's journeys around the globe
When CarolAnn Garratt took off from Orlando, Fla., in 2003, her main purpose was to reunite her father with his long-lost sister in Sydney, Australia. However, this initial 60-hour trip would soon turn into a journey around the globe.
Flying in a Mooney M20J, CarolAnn flew around the world for the next seven months, returning back home to Ocala, Fla., after conquering the 36,667-mile feat. In the planning stage, CarolAnn had decided to keep going around the world after reuniting the siblings. In total, she visited 19 countries before returning to the States.
Blogging the entire time, CarolAnn writes in her last entry from the trip,
“As this trip draws to a close, I have to say what a fantastic adventure it has been. People all around the world have been most open, friendly, and helpful. They, more than anything else, have made this a most positive overall adventure. The seven months have been full of excitement, new countries, new people who have turned into friends, and challenging flying.”
Along the way, CarolAnn remembers the tremendous support received from pilots worldwide. The news of her flight spread like wildfire, with pilots and fans in each country highly anticipating her arrival. Throughout her trip, she managed to keep all her fans up-to-date via a personal blog site with regularly updated posts depicting her travels.
“My favorite memory from the first trip was getting Dad and his sister reunited,” shares CarolAnn. “I also really enjoyed my time spent in South Africa; I’d always wanted to visit there.”
But, CarolAnn Garratt’s round-the-world itch didn’t cease after returning. Five years later, she decided to do it all over again … except this time in a week, with co-pilot Carol Foy. Flying in the same Mooney as the first trip, the adventurous duo flew around the world in a record-breaking eight days, 12 hours and 20 minutes.
When returning to the United States in December of 2008, CarolAnn excitedly told Orlando Sentinel staff writer Kate Santich, “We did it! I kept it together until touchdown, and then I just started crying.”
The second trip, named “Dash for a Cure,” was dedicated solely toward raising funds and awareness for individuals suffering from the disease known as ALS or “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” CarolAnn’s mother passed away from ALS in 2002 and, since then, CarolAnn has worked diligently to raise donations toward finding a cure. In total, both trips have raised more than $175,000 for the cause.
CarolAnn Garratt and Carol Foy
CarolAnn has published two books detailing her trips, each filled with information pulled from her blog posts and other detailed experiences. Additionally, she has begun an ongoing speaking tour, presenting her story more than 200 times to EAA Chapters, flying clubs and civil groups nationwide.
A UW Madison graduate, CarolAnn grew up in West Chester, Penn., moving to Burlington, Wis., just in time for college. With her brother Andy an enthusiastic pilot and regularly visiting EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each summer in the 1970s, CarolAnn was soon engaged in the thought of learning to fly. In 1972, she solo’d for the first time, and in 1996 received her commercial pilot’s license. In December, 2006, CarolAnn completed the test flight of her homebuilt kit plane, a RANS S-7S, and has since put more than 300 hours on it.
Since becoming a pilot, CarolAnn has consistently contributed to the future of flight. In total, she has flown more than 360 EAA Young Eagles, including 24 children overseas during her first world-round trip.
“The kids are my favorite. Younger ones are usually more enthusiastic and not afraid to show it, while the older ones are quieter at first. But, once you show them how it works, they really express how much they enjoy it and start to show some enthusiasm,” she shares.
Often times, CarolAnn not only provides Young Eagles flights for children, but flies interested parents as well. By taking the parents, she believes that the enthusiasm will be contagious and it will be more likely that the child is allowed to pursue a career or hobby in aviation. Because, she believes that if youth don’t have a close family member link or friend involved in aviation, it can be difficult to find support or resources.
CarolAnn has ensured the future of flight is not lost by establishing an endowed scholarship fund in her brother’s memory. The fund is dedicated toward assisting youth in paying for EAA AirAcademy course fees.
“Andy was a plane buff since the time he could say the word ‘airplane.’ He could tell you anything about any plane and really enjoyed flying,” says CarolAnn. “Because he was so into aviation, I wanted to give the opportunity to kids to pursue their dreams, too.”
Her involvement in nurturing the future pilots of the world doesn’t end with Young Eagles support. CarolAnn also dedicates her time giving free transportation to the sick through Angel Flights and to teaching Civil Air Patrol cadets via her membership in the Air Force’s Civilian arm. Through her involvement, she gives the young pilots orientation flights and also teaches cadets through solo and, if they continue on, to securing their pilot’s license.
“It’s so exciting when they get their license!” exclaims CarolAnn. “It’s such a great way for kids to get into aviation and is just another way to give back to kids who are as enthusiastic as my brother was.”
When asked what advice she would give to others considering giving wings to EAA’s youth, CarolAnn’s reply was inspirational as always: “I’d tell them it’s important, and that it’s really something to be done from the heart. It’s important to the future of aviation and the number of pilots we can expect. It makes me feel good to allow students to go to school for a week in the heart of aviation every summer.”
Now a two-time “earthrounder,” CarolAnn is happily living in a fly-in community near Gainesville, Fla. Her regular trips to EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh haven’t ceased, as she can annually be seen working the flight line – right where she has always felt at home.
Passion
CarolAnn Garratt
“CarolAnn is a world-renowned aviatrix who continues to accomplish astounding things,” says Eric Von, longtime friend and planned giving manager at EAA.
“She’s devoted to serving the greater good.”